Question:
Is it unusual to be able to eat 4 oz. of yogurt at 5 1/2 wks. post-op?

I've been concerned since surgery at my pouch capacity. I read how many people at three months out are JUST able to eat more than 3 tbsp., but I don't seem to have that problem. I was able to eat a 4 oz. container of yogurt yesterday in less than 5 minutes, and can also manage 2 chinese dumplings (potstickers). HOWEVER, that being said, it seems my capacity really varies. Sometimes I can only eat four bites of an omelette, and other times I can eat more than that. Should I be worried? I've lost 26 lbs. so far, started out at 227, 5'1", and am considered a "lightweight." I know my pouch is definitely functional: there are many times i've eaten too much (again, amount varies) and get the "stuck" feeling which i have to alleviate by vomiting. What do you think? I think i can still lose weight, but i worry about my pouch capacity at 3 and 6 months out. Thanks! (Proximal OPEN RNY, 7/7/03, 227.6/201.0/133.0)    — sweetmana (posted on August 14, 2003)

August 14, 2003
I am now 6-1/2 mths post op and have lost nearly 100 lbs. I too was a lightweight starting out at 243 lbs, 5'7". At 5-1/2 weeks post op I'm sure that I could eat 4 oz of yogurt. For the most part, the denser the foods - like chicken or steak, the less your pouch will be able to hold before you get that too full feeling. The consistency of the yogurt makes it easier for the pouch to take in more. I don't think that you're eating too much but I suggest that you look for the yogurts that contain the least amount of sugar. Walmart has their own brand that I has about the least amount of sugar I've found. Good luck!
   — Judy R.

August 14, 2003
I too worry about how much I am able to eat. I can eat 4 oz of any food. I am 6 weeks post op. I have lost 26 lbs too. I am definately not a lightweight and worry about this all the time. But I have noticed the same thing as you, tht sometimes I can eat more than others. I am glad to hear I am not the only one experiencing this. Good luck!!
   — Stacie B.

August 14, 2003
I'd agree with Judy - yogurt is very liquidy in the pouch and goes thru rather rapidly. The fact that eggs and other dense foods fill you up more rapidly is normal. Now though is the time you need to start making really good choices (pot stickers are typically made with an outer shell of white flour - not a great choice for limited capacity). Not trying to preach :>) Just been there - done that. Oh heck, doing that lol. It's HARD to keep away from starchy processed foods, but we need to keep trying. Now, I've digressed from the topic. You're doing FINE!!! :>)
   — [Deactivated Member]

August 14, 2003
I am 8 weeks post-op....50 pounds down...and at 5 weeks post-op, I could eat that much yogurt. There are days when three bites of food fills me up and others when I seem endlessly hungry! I think it depends on the types of foods that you are eating.
   — Terri G.

August 14, 2003
Sounds alright to me. I also started at 228 and am 5'1". I had surgery in Feb. and now have lost 70 lbs. I, too, felt I was a slow loser but it has really picked up in the past two months. At about four or five weeks I could eat 4 oz yogurt with no problem. It is of the consistency that it just slids right on down. So don't worry about that. It is true that the amounts we can eat vary on different days and depending on what we can eat. On things like meat cheese and eggs and etc, I can only eat a bite or two. Other times I can eat maybe 2-3 ozs. Your pouch is alright.
   — Delores S.

August 14, 2003
Yep, same here. I am 3 months out. I eat a 6 oz container of yogurt every morning. But when it comes to solid more dense foods I can only eat 2-3 ounces, if even that much. My doctor says that this is the norm. However, I found myself slipping into 'the soft-food syndrome' where I was eating a lot of soups and softer consistency foods because they went down easy and I could eat more of it without getting 'that feeling' which meant more calories per meal. I'm trying to break that habit.
   — Kimberly B.

August 14, 2003
I don't think you need to worry about the capacity of your pouch. Yogurt is almost liquid and goes through the pouch very quickly. However, I would stay away from the chinese dumplings if I were you - they are gummy and could gum up and cause a blockage.
   — Patty_Butler